Richard Grenell Steps Down From Kennedy Center

Photo Credit: Ric Grenell Official Portrait, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (Public Domain)

Ric Grenell, who oversaw extensive changes at the Kennedy Center that led to many artists walking away, is stepping down as the institution’s president.

Ric Grenell, a longtime Trump ally who oversaw many of the extensive changes at the Kennedy Center over the past few months, is stepping down as president at the iconic performing arts venue. Many of the changes he oversaw, including adding President Trump’s name to the building’s facade, prompted numerous artists to walk away from the Kennedy Center after many years of performing there.

Trump confirmed the news in a social media post after it was initially reported by Axios. Matt Floca, who manages facility operations at the Kennedy Center, will replace Grenell.

Both changes are expected to be finalized at a board meeting on Monday at the White House, according to an anonymous source. The news follows the announcement that Trump intends to close the Kennedy Center this summer for a two-year renovation.

“Ric Grenell has done an excellent job in helping to coordinate various elements of the Center during the transition period, and I want to thank him for the outstanding work he has done,” wrote Trump. “THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER will be, at its completion, the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the World!”

Indeed, Grenell’s position made him a central figure in Trump’s fixation on giving the Kennedy Center a dramatic makeover following his return to office. In a so-called war on “woke culture,” Trump removed the performing arts institution’s previous leadership and replaced it with a board of loyalists who promptly voted to rename the venue “The Trump Kennedy Center.” This change has been massively controversial, and one that lawmakers say requires an act of Congress in order to be legal.

As a result, the arts community began cancelling performances en masse or walking away from the celebrated institution altogether. These include the cancellation of “Hamilton” performances and the resignation Jean Davidson, the director of the National Symphony Orchestra, and consultants like musicians Renée Fleming and Ben Folds.